2009 PGA Championship Odds and Preview

The best golfers in the world will go to battle at Hazeltine National Golf Club starting this Thursday in the final major event of the season at the PGA Championship. Hazeltine which is known for its enormous length and narrow fairways will put all competitors to the test. Measuring at a lucrative 7, 674 yards, Hazeltine will play as the longest course in PGA history accompanied with 3 different holes over 600 yards. The PGA Tour previously made a stop at the prestigious golf course back in 2002. In that tournament, Rich Beem held off a hard charging Tiger Woods to score his only major win of his career. Hazeltine will demand length and accuracy amongst competitors while providing very challenging course design.

Tiger Woods will be the leading favorite heading into the event despite having yet to score a major win this season. Woods has won every event entered prior to the majors this season including two back to back wins at the Buick Open and Bridgestone Invitational over the last two weekends. However, will that momentum carry over and show similar results in the PGA Championship? Woods will enter the event as a huge +150 favorite to win the event. However, the bigger story may be if Tiger was to fail to score a major victory for the first time in a calendar year since 2004. Other top competitors who are sure to contend this week include Padraig Harrington. Harrington is the defending PGA Championship and held the lead going into the final few holes of the Bridgestone Invitational before self destructing surrendering the win to Woods. Harrington has the long hitting power to really give himself an advantage at Hazeltine and just maybe can put together an entire 72 holes. Harrington reinvented his swing at the end of last year’s breakout season and it just now seems to be coming around. Despite recent threats to score a victory, Harrington will hold very profitable +2500 odds to win.

Other popular names that many will have their eyes on include “lefty” Phil Mickelson. Mickelson missed the British Open as he took time off to be with his wife while she battle breast cancer. It will be interesting to see if Mickelson can push those emotions to the side and post 4 solid rounds of golf. Mickelson is another player who seems to play very strong at the longer events and will show as a +1500 favorite to win the event. However speculating on the time off and the mental circumstances that the sentimental favorite has gone through over the past few weeks, Mickelson may just have too much on his plate to make a considerable run at the major title. Although, there are a few names we expect to shine this upcoming week. U.S Open Champion Lucas Glover is one of the most accurate long hitters on tour. Glover has continued to play well since his season defying win at Bethpage back mid June including a top 5 finish at the AT&T National. Glover will enter the event at huge +8000 underdog type odds. Also keep an eye on Zach Johnson who is ranked 5th on the world money list. Johnson has posted a pair of wins and a few other top 5 finishes this season. A strong showing at last week’s Bridgestone Invitational makes Johnson a competitor to keep on your radar currently standing +5000 odds to win.

Outside of some of the popular names, who knows what to expect at this year’s PGA Championship. The PGA Tour has provided numerous headlines this season especially with the nearly 60 year’s young Tom Watson spectacle at the British Open. Tiger will lead a group of veterans, but it could likely be some of the hungry young guns that could still the show. Camilo Villegas has possibly been the most consistent strong performer this season. Villegas has finished in the top 36 in 11 of his last 12 tournaments including all 3 majors during that stretch. Villegas will holds as a +5000 long shot to win the tournament as well. Also it may be worth focusing some attention on Anthony Kim. Kim is the young talent that went toe to toe with Tiger Woods before faulting down the stretch at the AT&T National. Kim actually ranks as the best putter on tour this season and will make another valiant effort to shine at this week’s PGA Championship. Will Kim be another one of the surprising headlines this season from what has been a wild season in the PGA? It seems it would be a fitting end or Tiger Woods roaring back at season’s end sounds like a perfect piece to the puzzle as well. We wait and see what exactly will unfold at the 91st PGA Championship from Hazeltine National in Chaska, Minnesota this weekend and anticipate more exciting stories.

Current PGA Odd from Bookmaker Sportsbook - Use bonus code BM100 and get $100 Bonus Cash on Deposits of $250! Visit Bangthebook.com for more sports forum discussion. Our pick is Phil Mickelson!!